How are you honestly doing these days with respecting both yourself as well as others? It may not always be easy, but it will always be worth it. We can show love to ourselves and everyone else by being respectful as often as possible. It will take work sometimes, but it is a worthwhile standard to steadfastly stand for. Relay reliable respect on repeat.
Respect is one of the greatest expressions of love.
-Don Miguel Ruiz
We should all see and share more love on a daily basis, so we should all respect more, too, as a way of regularly spreading it far and wide. We can jump to hasty conclusions and give a number of “reasons” as to why someone does not “deserve” our “respect”. However, it is not up to them; it is a choice that we possess. Why hold grudges against and judge anyone unnecessarily? Respect your lane, and respect their lane. Respect all autonomy. I know how difficult this concept can be to practice when we are so sure that we know best, but we only live our life. To each their own. Respect that process please.
The willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life is the source from which self-respect springs.
-Joan Didion
Today, during a meeting at work, I silently observed so many different behaviors in one room. A surprising number of them slowly became clearer to me as to why someone may act in such a way. I had to fight hard against speaking up rudely a few times. If I cannot teach easily and gently, then I am not ready to share. I am still learning and preparing my own takeaways; I am still listening to and establishing a healthy bond with my own Inner Nature. I am truly respecting my own personal process more now, finding where I belong.
When you know and respect your own Inner Nature, you know where you belong.
-Benjamin Hoff
Respect is a courteously conscious dance. As of late, I find myself flowing and gliding more freely and gracefully. I stub my own toes less now, and I do my best to not step on anyone else’s toes as well. By not speaking up negatively and/or meanly, I preserved the personal process of each person there. I do not want to contribute in a way that disturbs any peace; I saw others causing that. We are all trying our best to find the beat and move to it. There is a wonderful waltz waiting if we wish to while away the weeks in wondrous worship. Respect the beauty beset before us. Find a reason to smile more often, even if it is only a warm and radiant internal smile. No one else needs to see it. I am not asking us to perform for others. I am asking us to have enough respect to live the best lives we can.
Optimism is a choice.
-Roy T. Bennett
Kindness is a choice.
Giving is a choice.
Respect is a choice.
Whatever choice you make makes you.
Choose wisely.
Amidst all the chaos and noise that frequently surrounds us, respect your individual choice enough to control your narrative now. Rediscover some simple joys in many of the simple things. Refine your realizations and revelations respectfully. Redefine your rhetoric respectfully, and revive your self-respect really respectfully. Revel in resonant rhapsody.
For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
-Nelson Mandela
Enhancing the freedom of others, that is why Bodhisattvas reincarnate on Earth according to Buddhism. They see our suffering and want to help us; they could drift off elsewhere, free and clear. Instead, they care so compassionately and deeply that they return to this world countless times to aid and assist in ways we may discount and disrespect. Out of reverent respect for all the peaceful people around us now and everyone who has lived a lovely legacy, only our best is truly respectful. Not perfection, but a commitment to loving growth and improvement for all beings. Inner and outer respect far and wide for forever.
Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb. Time will tell.